Gunmen Storm Niger Community Market, Kill Over 30, Abduct Several Others

Gunmen Storm Niger Community Market, Kill Over 30, Abduct Several Others.

At least 30 people, including women, were killed on Saturday when suspected bandits attacked Kasuwan Daji market in Demo community, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State. The attackers also looted food items and other valuables worth millions of naira before setting the market on fire.

Reports gathered indicate that the assailants invaded the community at about 4 pm on Saturday and continued their operation into the early hours of Sunday without any resistance. Residents said the gunmen arrived in large numbers, shooting indiscriminately and tying up several victims. An eyewitness reported that more than 50 people were restrained and killed during the attack, while many others were taken away by the attackers.

The bandits were said to have emerged from the nearby National Park in Borgu LGA and carried out the attack in broad daylight, leaving the market completely destr%yed.

Several traders and residents are still unaccounted for, raising fears that the number of abducted persons may be higher than initially reported.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said over 30 people lost their lives and several others were kidnapped. He explained that security operatives received information around 9 pm on January 3 that suspected bandits from the National Park forest along Kabe District had invaded Kasuwan-Daji, burnt the market, looted shops, and carted away food items.

According to him, a joint security team visited the area the following morning and confirmed the casualties. He added that efforts are ongoing to rescue the kidnapped victims, assuring that further developments would be communicated.